Though not the first film incarnation inspired by Bram Stoker's novel, it is the first movie that shared the name. Bela Lugosi defined the character of Dracula in this movie. There isn't a version of the character that isn't influenced by his performance. Dracula is the bedrock of the horror genre.
The plot follows Renfield, who is turned into Dracula's slave. The people of the town had warned him about vampires, but he didn't listen. Dracula is then transported from Transylvania to England with Renfield's help. The crew of the ship is slaughtered and a mystery begins for the residents of London.
Dracula becomes aquanted with a well to do family using his status as a count as a social buy in. Dracula begins feeding on members of the group as well as random people in London. Professor Van Helsing begins studying Renfield, who was taken to a sanatorium. Van Helsing eventually figures out that Dracula is a vampire. A rivalry is formed that is a bit more potent than in the Hammer Dracula films. The ending is dramatic, but not as epic as the endings to some of the other iterations.
Dracula is more of a person in this movie than in the Hammer films. He has far more dialogue and the scorn he has for Van Helsing is more apparent. Lugosi is a great actor and the dialogue in the film shows his talent. He is creepy and ruthless, but keeps his regal demeanor throughout.
This movie has no gore and doesn't even show the fangs of any of the vampires, but the subtleties of the cinematic style has its own charm. This isn't to demean blood and gore filled horror of recent, but to distinguish the style. The studios had more restrictions in both effects and content, but despite this, they made a movie that is referenced in all facets of horror oriented culture.
Despite the popularity gained from the role, Bela Lugosi didn't return as Dracula until Abbott and
Costello meets Frankenstein. Lugosi also defined the Ygor character in Son and Ghost of Frankenstein, then played the monster in Frankenstein Meets The Wolfman.
Oddly enough, many won't give the classic movies a chance due to the effects and lack of color, but if you can get past that, then this movie won't disappoint. The movie has an interesting plot, scary sequences, and one of the most iconic villains of all time.
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